Nairobi, 24 October 2024 – Over 300 youth and key stakeholders gathered at the United Nations Office in Nairobi for the “Bringing the Pact Home” Intergenerational Dialogue, held as part of the 79th UN Day celebrations.

The event, aimed at promoting the localisation of the Pact for the Future, emphasized the critical role of youth in implementing global commitments at the grassroots level.
The dialogue brought together representatives from government, civil society, and international organizations. It featured an intergenerational panel discussion and breakout sessions focused on actionable strategies for integrating the Pact into Kenya’s development priorities.

Localizing a Global Vision
The Pact for the Future, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, sets out a roadmap for a more inclusive and sustainable world. In her opening remarks, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Director-General of the UN Office in Nairobi, stressed the importance of empowering young people to lead this transformation.
“Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the change-makers of today. Kenya’s youth have the energy, creativity, and determination to turn global commitments into tangible outcomes,” she said.

Youth at the Forefront
The UN Information Service, Nairobi co-created the event with young people, including the Kenya Ni Mimi organisation and KMUN.
The event featured a diverse panel of speakers, moderated by Florence Syevuo, Executive Director of the SDGs Kenya Forum. Panelists included:

  • Mary Kerema, Secretary of ICT, E-Government and Digital Economy in the Ministry of IC&D, who highlighted the potential of digital tools in addressing inequalities.
  • Dr. Martin Röw, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Germany, who stressed the importance of international collaboration to achieve the Pact’s goals.
  • Dr. Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, who called for innovative partnerships to tackle climate action and governance challenges.
  • Carole Ageng’o, Co-Chair of the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference in Support of the Summit of the Future, who emphasized youth inclusion in decision-making processes, and to take into account that the youth of today will age in the future, and so perspectives from older people should be included in discussions on localising the Pact. 
  • Eugene Okanda, Kenya UN Youth Representative, who urged peers to take ownership of the Pact’s implementation.

“The Pact for the Future is not just a document; it’s a tool for action,” Okanda said. “Young people must lead the way in translating it into meaningful change.”

Actionable Strategies
Breakout discussions addressed key issues, including:

  • Establishing youth-led digital hubs to enhance digital literacy and inclusion.
  • Developing community-based climate action initiatives.
  • Promoting financial transparency and accountability through grassroots efforts.

Participants signed a commitment board, pledging to champion the Pact’s principles in their communities. These commitments reflect the urgency and determination of Kenya’s youth to shape a sustainable and inclusive future.

Key Recommendations
The dialogue concluded with bold recommendations, including:

  • Investing in youth leadership to accelerate sustainable development.
  • Translating the Pact into local languages to enhance community understanding.
  • Building transparent systems to ensure equitable resource distribution.
  • Strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships to amplify the Pact’s impact.